CHRIS HATHERALL
BRIGHTON captain Lewis Dunk admits he’d have laughed if anyone had suggested they would be playing in Europe one day when he arrived at the club as an 11-year-old boy in 2003.
But the homegrown star leads his side out against Everton tomorrow insisting it really could happen – and his team are now so good they believe they can beat anyone.
Albion moved into the top six when they beat Manchester United on Thursday with a dramatic 99th-minute penalty from their World Cup winner, Alexis Mac Allister.
It means the dream of Europa League football is closing in and centre-back Dunk says there is no point keeping it a secret.
He said: “We talk about Europe sometimes of course. Who wouldn’t? We are aware of where we are. But we aren’t getting carried away and I think that shows what we’re about as a team.
“It’s a great time to be here. I’ve been on a journey with the club to be here now fighting for Europe with six games to go in the Premier League.
“When I first came through, I would have laughed at you for saying that’s possible.
“But now it’s reality and I’m enjoying every single moment.”
Dunk is not the only one. Every Seagulls fan inside The Amex celebrated like crazy in midweek as their team completed the double over United and gained revenge for losing to them on penalties in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.
That night was cruel, but it’s clear this Brighton team are going places under charismatic manager Roberto De Zerbi.
Dunk said: “There was disappointment at Wembley and then at Forest, which wasn’t us. But the way we have bounced back with two massive wins since then shows the character and belief we’ve got to keep fighting for this European spot.
“It’s another massive game on Monday against Everton, which will be a different test. But we have to be ready to beat them and we know our goal.”
It’s a far cry from the days when Albion were playing in the lower divisions and fearing for their very future.
When asked whether this was a unique opportunity for a local boy to take Brighton into Europe, Dunk said: “I hope it’s not a once in a lifetime thing. I hope we can do it again next year.”
Albion hope to have Pascal Gross back from a minor knock with Evan Ferguson also closing in on a return from injury.